Understanding Interoception: Evaluation Tools and Neuromodulation-Based OT Strategies
This presentation will explore interoception, the internal sensory system that supports awareness of physiological signals such as hunger, breathing, heart rate, and emotional arousal. The session will highlight how interoceptive awareness may be impacted across common diagnoses and the resulting effects on self-regulation, behavior, and occupational performance. Emphasis is placed on the critical role occupational therapists play in identifying interoceptive awareness difficulties and implementing neuromodulation-based interventions, including body scans and interactive activities, to help individuals recognize and label internal body states and improve regulation and functional participation.
- Explain how interoceptive awareness may be impacted in common diagnoses.
- Identify signs of interoceptive awareness difficulties, such as over-responsivity, under-responsivity, or misinterpretation of internal body signals
- Describe methods used to evaluate interoceptive awareness, including observation, self-report measures, and functional assessment approaches.
- Demonstrate understanding of neuromodulation-based interventions that support interoceptive awareness, including guided body scans and interactive sensory activities.
Guest Speaker: Jennifer Newman, OTD, OTR/L
Dr. Newman earned an OTD degree from Bay Path University with a focus on Autism Studies. As part of their master’s degree research, Dr. Newman created an interoceptive awareness protocol and implemented it with a case study participant. Dr. Newman completed an OTD dissertation on a continuing education course designed to advance occupational therapists’ knowledge of interoception. Dr. Newman has worked in pediatric occupational therapy for eight years.
Attendees can receive an email acknowledging their attendance, which can be submitted for recertification and/or licensure renewal. NBCOT or State Licensure-specific requirements may apply.